Archives for Energy Efficiency

EU energy ministers are meeting in Brussels today to discuss the implementation of the Energy Union. Looking at what has been discussed so far, the strategy may not prioritise energy efficiency enough to help Europe become climate-friendly. by Petr Hlobil, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog EU energy ministers are meeting in Brussels today to discuss… » read more

A report published today analyses the process with which 7000 are to be resettled for the Kosovo lignite mine and concludes that the World Bank-financed process does not comply with the bank’s own standards and is plagued by a slew of other weaknesses. by Dajana Berisha Executive director, Forum for Civic Initiatives, Kosovo; cross-posted from… » read more

With Ukraine’s ongoing fight for sovereignty and integrity emphasising once more the country’s energy vulnerability in front of Russia, the need to radically reform the Ukrainian energy sector became crucial for the survival of the country. And yet, moves in this direction are way too slow. Despite positive rhetoric on the need to prioritise energy… » read more

Complimented for its restrictions of coal lending, a closer look at the EBRD’s new energy strategy reveals a shocking lack of operational knowledge to implement the ambitions outlined in its executive summary. by Ionut Apostol, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog On Tuesday this week, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a new… » read more

A new law that will redraw the Czech Republic’s approach to renewable energy is suspected to bring the development of the Czech renewables sector to a standstill and instead provide a boost for the country’s fossil fuel sector. by Ondrej Pasek, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog No sooner had Polish prime minister Donald Tusk reaffirmed… » read more

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development received a little surprise visit this week from 16 000 voices against coal. by Fidanka Bacheva-McGrath, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog During this week’s consultation meetings in Istanbul, Belgrade and Moscow, the EBRD is discussing its new energy lending strategy with NGOs from its countries of operation. As… » read more

For the last couple of years, we have been calling on the European Investment Bank to drop coal lending. Finally, we’re starting to see some results. by Anna Roggenbuck, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog Last Friday, the EIB published a new energy lending policy, which shall be in place for some five-six years. Already in… » read more

It may have been easy in the past for Europeans to bash the US for being retrograde when it comes to climate policies, but after last week it will get more difficult to do that. by Anna Roggenbuck, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog Just as the world is abuzz with Obama’s new climate pledges, below… » read more

The neglect by international financial institutions of the Western Balkans sustainable energy potential will cost the region’s public heavily for years to come. Figures collected in a new study illustrate how the different international lenders perform in the region. by Pippa Gallop, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog I’ve been living in Croatia on and off… » read more

How is the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development able to justify a brand new host country agreement with Egypt, given the abuses still being endured in Egypt and the failure of one billion euros of EU money to improve the economic and human rights situation there? by Anne-Sophie Simpere, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog… » read more